Salem CC’s executive chef, Fred Yanosick, and general manager, Greg Cincotta, estimate that as many as 17,000 meals will be served to guests during Senior Open week. | Photo: Spenser Hasak

By BILL BROTHERTON

While Tom Watson, Gene Sauers, Fred Couples and other professional golfers are making birdies on Salem Country Club’s championship course June 26 – July 2, the club’s general manager, Greg Cincotta, and executive chef, Fred Yanosick, and their staffs, will be doing a thoroughly professional job taking care of guests behind the scenes.

Nicole LaPerriere of Newburyport stripes a drive during her round. | Photo: Owen O’Rourke

By BOB ALBRIGHT
ralbright33@comcast.net

On Labor Day weekend in 1916, a scenic golf course was unveiled off the old Newburyport Turnpike in Newbury promising unparalleled views of the
winding Parker River Estuary and nine challenging golf holes. Flash-forward a century, and that description of Ould Newbury Golf Club still rings true today, but that doesn’t mean things have stood still off the golf course. To help celebrate its centennial last year, the club completed an ambitious clubhouse renovation project that gutted the bar area and was paid for solely by donations from its members.

Proprietor John Moore behind the new, custom-made bamboo bar. | Photo: Mark Lorenz

By BETH BRESNAHAN

When we visited Nahant Golf Club at Kelley Greens soon after the first of the year the clubhouse was covered in sawdust and the walls were being stripped down to the studs. Play It As It Lies Golf Management Inc., the course’s new management team led by partners Anthony De Dominicis and John Moore, shared they were transforming the former clubhouse into a facility that offered patrons a fine dining experience, a nice bar and lounge.

Sagamore plans a Masters-ful change on 9th hole

If the newly-designed ninth hole at Lynnfield’s Sagamore Spring Golf Course looks familiar, don’t be surprised if Dave Loggins’ iconic theme music, “The Masters” (yes, that music), pops into your head as you approach the green. That’s because, well, the hole has been cleverly renovated to replicate the treacherous par-3 12th hole at Augusta National Golf Club.

By ANNE MARIE TOBIN 

Sometimes it all comes down to being in the right place at the right time.

For Dick Blaisdell, that place happened to be his own Western Barber shop at the intersection of Route 1 and Salem Street in Lynnfield, where Blaisdell has spent the past 50 years cutting hair.

Salem Country Club Golf Course Superintendent Kip Tyler and “his assistant” Molly inspect the 18th green.

By BILL BROTHERTON

Kip Tyler, Salem Country Club’s golf course superintendent/miracle worker for the past 35 years, looks out at the 18th fairway and smiles. The grass is, for the most part, green and lush. After a drought-plagued summer of 2016, the classic Donald Ross-designed links came through winter just fine.

‘Drive it in the fairway; stay below the hole’ offers Salem’s genial PGA pro Kevin Wood

By BILL BROTHERTON

Salem Country Club’s Head Golf Professional Kevin Wood discusses the upcoming U.S. Senior Open. | Photo: Spenser Hasak

No male golfer has ever finished under par during a USGA championship at Salem Country Club. Bruce Fleisher, the 2001 Senior Open champion, shot a 2-under 68 in the final round to finish at even par. Dale Morey, who captured the 1977 Senior Men’s Amateur at the Donald Ross-designed gem 4 and 3 over Lewis Oehmig, was medalist at 143, 3-over par.

Do proposed USGA changes go too far?

By BOB GREEN

A few months ago, the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient, golf’s governing bodies in this country and the rest of the world respectively, announced a series of proposed changes to the current Rules of Golf.

Attention junior golfers! North Shore Golf magazine and Reedy Meadow Golf Course are teaming up to
revive the Junior Golf Invitational, last held in 2014. It will take place July 28 at 11:30 a.m. at the 195 Summer St. nine-hole course.

Donnie Lyons, general manager and director of golf for the town of Lynnfield, said this is a non-competitive event for area youngsters.

“We’re looking for kids who want to have a fun day outside. Every boy or girl will get something and there will be a cookout after golf.”

Lyons said anyone age 8 to 14 can play and they don’t have to live in Lynnfield.

Kids age 8 to 11 will play nine holes; those 12 to 14 will play 18. The cost is $20 per junior.

For more information, email Lyons at del100PGA@aol.com.

1ST ROW: Merchandise on display at the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show held in January at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando; A colorfully-dressed crew attending the show. (PHOTOS: Traci Edwards/PGA of America); 2ND ROW: Ed Toner of Swampscott gets ready to tee off on Middleton Golf Course’s 1st hole; Jen Dorney of Peabody and Susan O’Connor of Danvers at Middleton Golf Course. (PHOTOS: Spenser Hasak) Kevan Elliot on the green at Beverly Golf & Tennis Club. (PHOTO: Owen O’Rourke) 3RD ROW: The clubhouse at Olde Salem Greens; Dennis McFall plays the 18th at Gannon Colf Club in April. (PHOTOS: Spenser Hasak) 4TH ROW: Connor Hayes plays at Olde Salem in May (Photo: Spenser Hasak); Karen Miller, Sue Page, Lea Healey, Betty Lou Fecteau and Jane McDonald, all sporting fascinators, have Kentucky Derby Day fun at The Pub at Ould Newbury. (PHOTO: Mike Norris)